Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[appaz]

From the book of rules (with added bolding):
14.3.4 Infants under two years and not occupying a seat, travel without the need to redeem Qantas Points as long as the accompanying adult is travelling on a Classic Flight Reward. There is a limit of one infant per adult travelling on a Classic Flight Reward. Taxes, fees and carrier charges (including GST) may be payable in relation to infants as specified by Qantas Loyalty at the time a Member books a Classic Flight Reward.

It looks like there’s provision for some extra charges, so I suggest you contact the call centre to get an idea of how it works (always keeping in mind that what one call centre agent tells you may not equal what another might say...)

I understand the rules for Qantas Classic Rewards when flying Qantas metal, just unsure what applies when using Qantas to book with other OW airlines.

For example, I'm flying Cathay HKG-PER later this year booked via Alaskan Mileage Plan. Alaskan cannot add an infant to the ticket, only Cathay can. Cathay charge 10% the full adult revenue fare ($600 one way!). If these rules applied to a 280k J award, i'd almost be better off saving an additional 280k points and booking the little one a seat. 10% of the full fare for multiple one-way flights in J would get very expensive

If because it is a Qantas award, booked via Qantas AND they can add the infant too all OW flights, then its a great deal (essentially the infant is free).

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

I understand the rules for Qantas Classic Rewards when flying Qantas metal, just unsure what applies when using Qantas to book with other OW airlines.

For example, I'm flying Cathay HKG-PER later this year booked via Alaskan Mileage Plan. Alaskan cannot add an infant to the ticket, only Cathay can. Cathay charge 10% the full adult revenue fare ($600 one way!). If these rules applied to a 280k J award, i'd almost be better off saving an additional 280k points and booking the little one a seat. 10% of the full fare for multiple one-way flights in J would get very expensive

If because it is a Qantas award, booked via Qantas AND they can add the infant too all OW flights, then its a great deal (essentially the infant is free).

I think that you need to contact the call centre & do a dummy booking and see how it prices out. There’s no cost to you if you don’t make a booking (other than losing a small part of your soul while waiting to get through...).

 

[Kangol]

Has anyone had problems with adding JL flights to their OWA recently?
Phone agent can see availability but can't go to the next step of booking. Had to send a request off to JL.
Apparently this is the case for all JL flights in any class.

 

[wentworthmeister]

Since booking our OWA last week I've been keeping an eye out for any availability opening up on alternative carriers for certain legs; particularly the last one which is currently SCL-SYD-MEL (QF). Sure enough LATAM has released some reward seats on its SCL-MEL (LA805) and SCL-AKL-SYD (801) flights. However there's something going on in the QF multi-city tool that won't allow me to have the SCL-MEL direct flight.

For example, when I search SCL-SYD on 9/12/2019, I get the following results showing the LA801 SCL-SYD direct flight, but more interestingly that LA805 (SCL-MEL) has award availability (but of course with a MEL-SYD leg to finish it up):



However, when I search SCL-MEL on the same date, LA805 doesn't show. Instead, I can only choose LA801 (SCL-AKL) and then a QF/JQ leg on to MEL, or LA801 all the way to SYD and then a SYD-MEL leg to finish:



1) Anyone know why it won't let me have LA805 (SCL-MEL) direct flight on its own?
2) If I call the QF service centre, are they likely to be able to see anything different to what I'm seeing in the tool?

Edit: All flights and searches are for Economy class.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Since booking our OWA last week I've been keeping an eye out for any availability opening up on alternative carriers for certain legs; particularly the last one which is currently SCL-SYD-MEL (QF). Sure enough LATAM has released some reward seats on its SCL-MEL (LA805) and SCL-AKL-SYD (801) flights. However there's something going on in the QF multi-city tool that won't allow me to have the SCL-MEL direct flight.

For example, when I search SCL-SYD on 9/12/2019, I get the following results showing the LA801 SCL-SYD direct flight, but more interestingly that LA805 (SCL-MEL) has award availability (but of course with a MEL-SYD leg to finish it up):



However, when I search SCL-MEL on the same date, LA805 doesn't show. Instead, I can only choose LA801 (SCL-AKL) and then a QF/JQ leg on to MEL, or LA801 all the way to SYD and then a SYD-MEL leg to finish:



1) Anyone know why it won't let me have LA805 (SCL-MEL) direct flight on its own?
2) If I call the QF service centre, are they likely to be able to see anything different to what I'm seeing in the tool?

I notice that there’s the little i in a circle next to the J class seat you want. Is there any chance that if you click on it, it says something like “Y fare to Mel, J fare Mel-Syd”?

 

[wentworthmeister]

I notice that there’s the little i in a circle next to the J class seat you want. Is there any chance that if you click on it, it says something like “Y fare to Mel, J fare Mel-Syd”?

Sorry - I should have specified that my booking and searches are all in Y, which means LA805 has award availability in Y in that screenshot. Not looking at the J column.

 

[Guvner]

Most likely married segments.
Can't you just get your bags and clear customs in Mel and accidentally miss the domestic Syd flight?

 

[wentworthmeister]

Most likely married segments.
Can't you just get your bags and clear customs in Mel and accidentally miss the domestic Syd flight?

I wondered about married segments, but I'm not convinced that's what's going on because A) LA805 has award availability on its own for other dates in Nov 2019 and Feb 2020, and B) LA801 is available on its own in this timeframe.

Are you allowed to skip a flight in an OWA itinerary? What happens if you do?

 

[ozflier]

I'm not sure of the answer but I don't think there would be a good outcome.
Airlines are getting more aggressive when it comes to missing segments .

 

[cjd600]

I wondered about married segments, but I'm not convinced that's what's going on because A) LA805 has award availability on its own for other dates in Nov 2019 and Feb 2020, and B) LA801 is available on its own in this timeframe.

Are you allowed to skip a flight in an OWA itinerary? What happens if you do?

Per the T and C’s in the first post wiki
“If a Member fails to board a Flight Segment of an itinerary containing only Classic Flight Reward Flight Segments, the remaining Segments will be cancelled.”

Guess it’s “ok” if it’s your last flight

 

[Kangol]

Airlines are getting more aggressive when it comes to missing segments .

What makes you say that? ie. do you have an anecdote about something that happened to you or someone you know?

 

[Guvner]

I wondered about married segments, but I'm not convinced that's what's going on because A) LA805 has award availability on its own for other dates in Nov 2019 and Feb 2020, and B) LA801 is available on its own in this timeframe.

Are you allowed to skip a flight in an OWA itinerary? What happens if you do?

"...particularly the last one which is currently SCL-SYD-MEL (QF).."
I was assuming it was your last leg. Apologies if I was wrong.

 

[Guvner]

I'm not sure of the answer but I don't think there would be a good outcome.
Airlines are getting more aggressive when it comes to missing segments .

It's easy to get lost between Mel Intl and Mel domestic. Happens often.

 

[wentworthmeister]

"...particularly the last one which is currently SCL-SYD-MEL (QF).."
I was assuming it was your last leg. Apologies if I was wrong.

No you're correct - MEL is the final destination.

 

[ozflier]

Lawyer for man sued by Lufthansa for not using last leg of plane journey says client will WIN case | Daily Mail Online

 

[wentworthmeister]

Based on comments in another thread it sounds like a case of phantom award availability on LA805. Guess I'll stick with the QF flights for now.

 

[knightfall88]

If the Qantas booking engine can only see 353 days ahead and there are airlines that release flights at 360 days. Is the obvious that those flights that occur in that 7 day window ( 353 - 360) can only be found and booked via Qantas Agent?

 

[rock86]

If the Qantas booking engine can only see 353 days ahead and there are airlines that release flights at 360 days. Is the obvious that those flights that occur in that 7 day window ( 353 - 360) can only be found and booked via Qantas Agent?

Selecting the 'Flexible dates' in the search engine is your friend for those flights.

 

[flapper]

As of today 1st April JL release their award seats 360 day out up from 330. This means lots of seats available for the 30 days they have jumped ahead.
Hope this helps someone planning an award flight.
PS not an April Fools Day joke.

 

[knightfall88]

Hi, my partner has a higher status. Can I make bookings with a Qantas Agent on her behalf?